Home of judo, here we come: Pakistan’s Tokyo-bound trio unveiled
Qaisar, Akram and Sarwar will compete at grand slam
PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Pakistani teenager Qaisar Khan Afridi will be one of three players to compete at the 2016 Tokyo Judo Grand Slam, starting December 2.
Qaisar, who belongs to FATA, will be participating in the -81 kg event, while Nadeem Akram will compete in the -73kg category. Tokyo-based Wajahat Sarwar, meanwhile, will feature in the -100kg competition.
“They are all young and talented, and we wanted them to compete in Tokyo because of the exposure they will get,” Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) Vice-President Masood Ahmed told The Express Tribune. “Tokyo is the home of judo and more than 80 countries will be sending their athletes to participate there. There is a good chance of winning medals too, especially with Qaisar as he is young and improving very quickly. We want them to end the year on a high.”
Shah rested for Judo Slam in Abu Dhabi
Ahmed also revealed that the players will also get a chance to train at the three-day International Judo Federation (IJF) training camp before the event.
“The training that our players will receive before and after the grand slam will be crucial,” said Ahmed. “They will be trained by IJF-appointed coaches and later by local Japanese trainers.”
Judokas await Indian visas for Asian championship
Regarding Olympian Shah Hussain Shah’s unavailability, Ahmed added: “Shah conveyed the message that he wanted to take some rest after his Rio Olympics participation, so we let him take the break.”
He further said that the PJF is working on an extended four-year plan to prepare athletes for the 2020 Olympics.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2016.
Pakistani teenager Qaisar Khan Afridi will be one of three players to compete at the 2016 Tokyo Judo Grand Slam, starting December 2.
Qaisar, who belongs to FATA, will be participating in the -81 kg event, while Nadeem Akram will compete in the -73kg category. Tokyo-based Wajahat Sarwar, meanwhile, will feature in the -100kg competition.
“They are all young and talented, and we wanted them to compete in Tokyo because of the exposure they will get,” Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) Vice-President Masood Ahmed told The Express Tribune. “Tokyo is the home of judo and more than 80 countries will be sending their athletes to participate there. There is a good chance of winning medals too, especially with Qaisar as he is young and improving very quickly. We want them to end the year on a high.”
Shah rested for Judo Slam in Abu Dhabi
Ahmed also revealed that the players will also get a chance to train at the three-day International Judo Federation (IJF) training camp before the event.
“The training that our players will receive before and after the grand slam will be crucial,” said Ahmed. “They will be trained by IJF-appointed coaches and later by local Japanese trainers.”
Judokas await Indian visas for Asian championship
Regarding Olympian Shah Hussain Shah’s unavailability, Ahmed added: “Shah conveyed the message that he wanted to take some rest after his Rio Olympics participation, so we let him take the break.”
He further said that the PJF is working on an extended four-year plan to prepare athletes for the 2020 Olympics.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2016.